Consumer Protection - Application Store Accountability Act
Summary
HB1179 requires the Montgomery County Board of Education to adopt and implement a student cellular phone policy that limits phone use during instructional time. For purposes of the bill, instructional time means any time during the school day except lunch. The policy must generally prohibit students from using cell phones during instructional time and require phones to be stored in a secure place such as a locker, closed backpack, or storage device.
The bill includes specific exceptions to the prohibition. Students may use a phone when the use is documented in an individualized education program (IEP), to monitor or address a health issue, or when an educator or administrator directs use for educational purposes. The policy must also include appropriate disciplinary measures for violations. The bill applies only in Montgomery County and would take effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
HB1179 would add a new section to the Education Article of the Maryland Code, creating a county-specific mandate for Montgomery County schools to regulate student cell phone use during the school day. It would not create a statewide rule, but it would require the local board of education to adopt a formal policy with storage requirements, exceptions for special education and health needs, and discipline provisions. The bill would directly affect students, parents, educators, and school administrators in Montgomery County.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to reflect a policy preference for reducing classroom distractions and limiting student phone use during instruction. No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no documented public debate or recorded vote sentiment in the materials supplied. The bill’s structure suggests a generally regulatory but targeted approach, with exceptions intended to preserve educational, medical, and disability-related uses.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely to be the breadth of the phone ban during instructional time, the requirement that phones be stored away, and how disciplinary measures would be applied. Supporters would likely emphasize classroom focus, reduced distractions, and clearer school management rules, while opponents may raise concerns about student safety, family communication, and enforcement consistency. The exceptions for IEP-related use, health monitoring, and educator-directed educational use appear designed to address some of those concerns.